South Austin and Dripping Springs are home to some of the city’s biggest names in barbecue. From hole-in-the-wall joints to bustling food trucks, here are 18 south-side offerings.
1. Alice's Restaurant
Treaty Oak Distilling, 16604 Fitzhugh Road, Dripping Springs
512-559-0335
www.treatyoakdistilling.com
Hours: Thu.-Fri. 4-9 p.m., Sat. noon-9 p.m., Sun. noon-6 p.m., closed Mon.-Wed.
Year founded: 2018
Key features: craft cocktails and beer from Treaty Oak Ranch
Restaurant offerings: by the pound, sandwich
Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork), chicken, turkey, pork, fish
2. Chief's BBQ
7811 S. First St., Ste. 104, Austin
512-444-2333
www.chiefsbbq.com
Hours: Sun.-Wed. 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Thu.-Sat. 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Key features: a kids menu and lunch specials including burgers
Year founded: 2002
Restaurant offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich
Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork), chicken, turkey, ham
3. Courson’s BBQ
The Warehouse Billiard Bar, 509 Ben White Blvd., Austin
512-507-7458
www.coursonsbbq.net
Hours: Tue. 11 a.m.-midnight, Wed.-Sat. noon-midnight, closed Sun.-Mon.
Key features: a kids menu and lunch specials including burgers
Year founded: 2017
Food truck offerings: plate, sandwich
Meat options: brisket, sausage, chicken, pork
4. Donn’s Texas BBQ
7001 Oak Meadow Drive, Austin
512-288-4060
www.donns-bbq.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 6 a.m.-8 p.m.
Key features: offers a full breakfast menu as well as tacos and burgers
Year founded: 1986
Restaurant offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich, tacos
Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork and beef), chicken, turkey, beef, pork, ham
5. Do-Rite BBQ at Graceland (formerly Stubb's Bar-B-Q)
Graceland Grocery, 8600 W. Hwy. 290, Austin
512-792-9778
www.facebook.com/doritebarbecuegraceland
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
Key features: live music and a playscape for kids
Year founded: 2018
Restaurant offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich
Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork), chicken, turkey, beef, pork
6. Gordo’s Tortas & BBQ
9601 W. Hwy. 290, Austin
512-507-2602
www.gordosbbq.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Known for: barbecue burritos, tacos, tortas and bowls
Year founded: 2004
Food truck offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich, tacos
Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork and beef), chicken, pork
7. The Green Mesquite BBQ
9900 I-35, Austin
512-282-7100
www.greenmesquitebbq.com
Hours: Sun.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Known for: mesquite smoked wings
Year founded: 1988
Restaurant offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich
Meat options: sausage, ribs (pork), chicken, turkey, pork
8. Leroy and Lewis Barbecue
121 Pickle Road, Austin
512-945-9882
www.leroyandlewis.com
Hours: Wed.-Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., closed Mon.-Tues.
Specialty meats: beef cheeks, hog and barbacoa
Year founded: 2017
Food truck offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich
Meat options: brisket, sausage, beef, pork
9. Pig Pen BBQ
1005 W. Hwy. 290, Dripping Springs
512-858-0060
pigpen-bbq.com
Hours: Thu.-Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Sun.-Wed.
Signature item: Piggytail Cupcake iced in the pink-frosted likeness of a pig
Year founded: 2004
Food truck offerings: by the pound, sandwiches
Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (beef and pork), chicken, turkey, pork
10. Railroad Bar-B-Que
1111 W. Hwy. 290, Dripping Springs
512-858-0450
www.rrbbq.com
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Signature item: Stuffed baked potato loaded with chopped beef, cheese and sour cream
Year founded: 1982
Restaurant offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich
Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork), chicken, turkey, beef
11. Salt Lick BBQ
18300 FM 1826, Driftwood
512-858-4959
www.saltlickbbq.com
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Known for: classic pit barbecue with bison, pork and beef ribs
Year founded: 1967
Restaurant offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich
Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork, beef, bison), chicken, turkey, pork
12. SLAB BBQ & Beer
7101 W. Hwy. 71, Austin
512-243-8000
www.slabbarbecuerestaurantaustin.com
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Signature item: The Donk, a 1-pound, multimeat sandwich
Year founded: 2006
Restaurant offerings: sandwich, plate
Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork), chicken, pork
13. Slow Pokes Brisket Shack
Manchaca Springs Saloon, 737 FM 1626, Manchaca
512-436-1016
www.slowpokesbrisketshack.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., closed Sun.
Known for: small menu with emphasis on brisket and ribs
Year founded: 2015
Restaurant offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwich
Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork)
14. Sundance BBQ
8116 Thomas Springs Road, Austin
512-507-9693
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., closed Sun.
Specialty meats: Boudin Cajun sausage and Korean-glazed smoked chicken
Year founded: 2012
Food truck offerings: plate, sandwich
Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs, chicken, pork
15. The Switch
166 Hargraves Drive, Ste. G100, Austin
512-212-7211
www.theswitchdripping.com
Hours: Tue.-Thu. 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Sun. 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., closed Mon.
Known for: Cajun-style food with a Sunday brunch menu
Year founded: 2018
Restaurant offerings: by the pound, plate, sandwiches
Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork), chicken, turkey
16. Texas Ranch BBQ
3632 S. Congress Ave., Austin
512-998-2615
www.texasranchbbq.com
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Signature item: burnt-end brisket
Year founded: 2017
Food truck offerings: by the pound
Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork and beef), turkey
17. Valentinas Tex Mex BBQ
11500 Manchaca Road, Austin
512-221-4248
www.valentinastexmexbbq.com
Hours: Wed.-Mon. 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m., closed Tue.
Signature item: The Real Deal Holyfield, a brisket breakfast taco with an egg, bacon, beans and potato
Year founded: 2013
Food truck offerings: by the pound, sandwich, tacos
Meat options: brisket, sausage, ribs (pork and beef), chicken, pork
Gabrick Barbecue
Last Stand Brewing Co., 12345 Pauls Valley Road, Bldg. I, Austin
(formerly located inside 290 West Club)
512-761-0284
www.gabrickbarbecue.com
Specialty meats: pork belly burnt ends, seasonal meats
Year founded: 2019
Offerings: by the pound, sandwich
Meat options: brisket, sausage, turkey, pork, ham
